Jordan Bardella, president of National Rally, urges supporters to rally against judicial actions seen as political.
Far Right Mobilizes in Paris Following Le Pen's Five-Year Ban
Far Right Mobilizes in Paris Following Le Pen's Five-Year Ban
Demonstrations planned as far-right leader decries court ruling against Marine Le Pen.
French far-right leader Jordan Bardella has initiated calls for a rally in central Paris this Sunday, following a court decision that has barred Marine Le Pen from running for public office for five years. This setback to Le Pen's aspirations to secure the French presidency in 2027 arose from a ruling which held her responsible for a scheme involving the embezzlement of €2.9 million ($3.4 million; £2.5 million) in EU funds between 2004 and 2016.
Addressing the media, Bardella emphasized that this ruling was a cause for outrage among the French populace. The Paris Court of Appeal indicated it might reach a decision on the case by the summer of 2026, ahead of the crucial 2027 elections. "We will take to the streets this weekend," Bardella stated during a Tuesday press briefing, calling for "democratic, peaceful, calm mobilisations," with the first gathering scheduled for Place Vauban near the Eiffel Tower.
Le Pen, who has been a longstanding figure in the French far-right political landscape, likened the verdict to a "nuclear bomb" used to thwart the National Rally’s rise to power. She claimed that the political establishment had employed a "powerful weapon" against their party, motivated by the belief that they were poised to win upcoming elections. Urging her followers to harness their "outrage and hurt," Le Pen vowed, "We will hold on until the end, until victory."
Bardella condemned what he characterized as "the tyranny of the judges," asserting that efforts were being made to prevent their ascent to leadership. Both he and Le Pen expressed disapproval of the personal attacks directed at the judges post-verdict, emphasizing that threats made against judicial officials were inexcusable. After receiving threats, Bénédicte de Perthuis, the presiding judge in Le Pen's case, was reportedly placed under protection.
The ruling comes as Le Pen prepares for a fourth presidential campaign, a feat many are optimistic about given her polling numbers. Bardella, aged 29, is often seen as inexperienced compared to Le Pen, yet some in the party view him as a viable alternative should the need arise. Recent polls suggest that 60% of National Rally voters would support Bardella over Le Pen if he were to enter the presidential race.
Le Pen has garnered backing from several prominent figures, including Hungary’s Viktor Orban and US former President Donald Trump, who deemed the conviction a significant issue. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni joined the chorus decrying the court's decision as a threat to democratic representation. In addition to the ban from holding public office, Le Pen was fined €100,000 (£82,635) and sentenced to four years in prison, two of which will be suspended pending an extensive appeals process.
